Rugby: Wilson playing it cool

The victory was marred for the visitors by a serious ear injury to Jonathan Alston, which could be the subject of further action depending on the availability of evidence. He underwent surgery at St John's Hospital in Livingston and is now recovering.

Heriot's were rarely troubled as they swept past the home side with a powerful display that featured passages of exceptional flowing rugby in difficult conditions. Wilson and his colleagues dominated the early proceedings and effectively had the game won by half time.

There were significant contributions from back rowers Chris Fusaro and Jamie Syme, as well as hooker Finlay Gillies, who is one of several men vying for the No.2 jersey. However, Wilson, who played his part in the victory over Melrose in last season's final, insists that it is too early to consider the possibility of another visit to the national stadium.

He said: "We didn't have the best of starts to the season but we've managed to get on a wee run and we are just looking to keep that going, whether it's league, cup or British & Irish Cup. We just want to put in a performance each week.

"We've got a good thing going at Heriot's just now and there's a really good team spirit. All the boys are really enjoying playing for each other and there's a good buzz at training. We'll just see who we get in the next round. We are just looking forward to keeping this run going. All the boys are enjoying their rugby at the moment so whoever we get, we'll just look to go out and play the way we are and enjoy it."

Heriot's made a strong start and imposed themselves on opponents who relied too heavily on the boot of teenage stand off Jamie Forbes. Underlining the superiority of the Heriot's pack, all three first half scores came from forwards, with Wullie Blacklock, Jamie Syme and Chris Fusaro all touching down and Wilson adding the conversions – the latter try epitomising the speed of thought of the cup holders after they had caught the hosts napping with a quick lineout inside the Heriot's 22.

'Sonians rarely looked like scoring in a game that became increasingly niggly – referee David Changleng eventually lost patience and showed a yellow card to Heriot's flanker Pete Eccles.

The hosts looked livelier after the restart but failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage and they fell further behind when Syme powered over for a second time. Wilson, who had made way for Sam Johnston, returned to the fray as a replacement for Alston and banged over the conversions of his side's final two tries – one apiece for Johnston and Fusaro – to complete the rout.

Although the cup is less important than top flight survival, Sonians coach Bruce Aitchison admits that the meek capitulation by his players is something that must be addressed as the Myreside men enter a crucial phase.

"In some ways it was important because it was Watsonians and Heriot's which you never want to give away cheaply and the cup might have been a nice distraction for us," he admitted.

Acknowledging the impressive effort by the visitors, he said: "Heriot's looked comfortable when they spread the ball wide and when they kept it tight. They were streetwise and they took their chances when they came.

"Our lot have got to have a long hard look at themselves because I don't think they were particularly honest with each other. When someone made a mistake, there wasn't a desire to dig deep and bail their mates out. That was hugely disappointing.

"There was a bit of a resurgence after half time but that was probably because of the way they had been spoken to at half time – I'm glad my mother and my wife weren't around to hear it."

And pointing to the need for improved commitment by his players, who clearly possess considerably more ability than they have produced so far this season, he admitted: "They've had a reasonably stern talking to and it will be interesting to see what reaction we get when we play Accies on Friday night."

Watsonians: M Ker; G Somerville, D Brown, C Sorbie, A Rowe; J Forbes, J Blackwood; G Scott, N Tunnah, K Coertze, C Masson, T Weizman, J Pelter, G Callander, N Dennis. Subs used: O Murray, F Brown, M Fedo, M Learmonth.

Heriot's: C Goudie; B Roberts, M Nimmo, R Mill, A Douglas; G Rutherford, G Wilson; M Welch, F Gillies, W Blacklock, P O'Connor, C Ozazuwa, P Eccles, C Fusaro, J Syme. Subs used: J Alston, S Johnston, JP Ward, K Bryce.

Scorers:

Heriot's: Tries: Blacklock, Syme (2), Fusaro (2), Johnston.

Cons: Wilson (5)

Referee: D Changleng (Gala).